He Leadeth Me

Accompanying someone into the Church is a great privilege, but what does it actually look like to walk with them well? In this episode, FOCUS staff and converts Travis Todd and Amber Cybulski join Jessica to talk about their experiences of conversion and how we can accompany someone entering the Church well. Travis, Amber, and Jess discuss:The most helpful things in OCIA and outside of it that prepared Travis and Amber to enter the ChurchChallenges that they had as they completed OCIAThe experience of the Easter Vigil from the convert's perspectiveAdvice for those accompanying someone entering the Church this EasterTravis Todd is a convert to Catholicism and has worked for FOCUS for 18 years. Travis served 9 years as a campus missionary and team director before accepting a role at the FOCUS Denver Support Center. He currently serves as Senior Director of Formation. Travis resides in Arvada, Colorado, with his wife, Rebecca, and 7 children.After converting to Catholicism in college, Amber worked as a middle school and high school teacher covering subjects such as Latin, Spanish, Salvation History, Logic, and Calculus. She left everything to join FOCUS in 2014, serving as a campus missionary and team director before joining the Formation Department in 2019. She's currently served as the Director of New Staff Training and resides in Toledo, OH with her husband, Steven, and 3, almost 4 children. 

"Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!" This phrase is the daily prayer of the famous Surrender Novena. In this episode, Fr. John Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about the power of this novena. Fr. John and Jess discuss:How Jesus revealed the Surrender Novena to Servant of God Don Dolindo RuotoloThe difference between surrender and resignation or despair in the spiritual lifeHow to be truly surrendered to the will of GodFr. John Ignatius Ezratty is a priest with the Archdiocese of Denver. He is also a popular speaker at SEEK and a former FOCUS national chaplain.  If you would like to listen to Fr. Ezratty's talks at SEEK, you can find them here: seekreplay.com

"You're doing what?" is a common response when students tell their parents that they want to become FOCUS missionaries. Parents can feel hesitant about this decision, as they wonder, "Will you make enough money fundraising to support yourself? Is this a good step for your career?"In this episode, FOCUS Regional Director Kallin Hill and her father John Zehren join Jessica to talk about a parent's perspective on their son or daughter's call to FOCUS. Kallin, John, and Jess discuss:John speaks of his initial hesitation to Kallin's call to FOCUS, and how God's grace and conversations with Kallin overcame this hesitation.Kallin talks about how her time with FOCUS helped her to accomplish the personal and career goals her Dad had for herKallin and John give advice on the best ways to approach parents and give them the news that you are called to become a FOCUS missionary.After serving FOCUS for 4 years on campus, Kallin Hill became a Regional Director in the South Area overseeing schools in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. She has been with FOCUS for 8 years. Kallin is married to Stephen Hill, a fellow FOCUS employee.John Zehren is a businessman, proud father, and adamant supporter of FOCUS.

One of the greatest griefs a person can experience is losing a loved one to suicide. Studies indicate that 85% of people in the United States will personally know someone who has committed suicide during their lifetimes. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. How can we pray through the pain of a loved one committing suicide?In this episode, FOCUS staff Travis Todd and Levi Rash join Jessica to talk about surviving a loved one's suicide. Travis, Levi, and Jess discuss:Travis and Levi's own personal experiences of living through a family member's suicideCommon struggles people experience after a loved one's suicide, including wondering if they could have done more to prevent itChurch teaching regarding suicideWhat helped Travis and Levi to pray during the painful time after the suicideTravis and Levi's advice for those who are grieving a loved one's suicideYou can purchase Fr. Chris Alar's book, "After Suicide: There's Hope for Them and For You" here.Travis ToddTravis Todd is a convert to Catholicism and has worked for FOCUS for 18 years. Travis served 9 years as a campus missionary and team director before accepting a role at the FOCUS Denver Support Center. He currently serves as Sr. Director of Formation. Travis resides in Arvada, Colorado, with his wife, Rebecca, and 7 children.Check out other He Leadeth Me episodes featuring Travis here:Conversion and the Drama of Family RelationshipsFinding God in Daily Work: What's It Like to Work at the DSC?Levi RashLevi Rash graduated from the University of Missouri - Kansas City and joined FOCUS in 2011. He served as a campus missionary, Team Director, and is currently a Senior Regional Director serving the West Area. This is his 14th year with FOCUS as a staff member. Levi has been married to Stef, a FOCUS alum, for over 8 years and they have 3 daughters. Levi's family resides in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Dominican friar Fr. James Brent is back to talk about his devotion to praying to the Holy Spirit under the title, "Spirit of Truth". Fr. James and Jess discuss:How praying to the Spirit of Truth led to the downfall of communism in EuropeWhat invoking the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth could do for our countryHow you can grow in your devotion to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of TruthBe sure to check out Fr. James' new book, "The Father's House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity" here and his podcast Contemplata here.Fr. James Brent, O.P., is a priest in the St. Joseph Province Dominican Friars. He is a professor at the Dominican House of Studies and a popular retreat master and preacher.

In reading the Scriptures, there can be some passages that trouble modern readers, like the accounts of the wars the Israelites undertook against people living in the Promised Land. In this episode, Fr. Andrew Dickinson and Josh Burks from the FAD & Dad podcast sit down with Jess to shed some light on these Scripture passes. Fr. Andrew, Josh, and Jess discuss:Did God command genocide when he commanded the Israelites to wage war and put all the inhabitants of the cities to death?What about the account of Hagar's encounter with God? Did God command her to return to her abuser?What advice do you have for people who are reading these Scripture accounts?What did the Church Fathers say about these passages?You can check out the FAD & DAD podcast hereFather Andrew Dickinson is a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Ordained in 2006 he has served in the diocese in various capacities, including 11 years as the director of the Pius XII Newman Center serving the campus of South Dakota State University where he had the privilege of working with FOCUS missionaries those 11 years. Father Andrew currently serves as the pastor of 4 parishes in the diocese aided by 2 priests and one deacon. He also serves his Bishop as a Vicar General. If he has a FOCUS claim to fame it is through his brother, who was in the original bible study led by Dr. Sri in the 1990s. Joshua Burks is an Associate Teacher at The Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies in Lincoln, NE. He teaches primarily on New Testament texts and themes, but enjoys any opportunity to bring clarity and conviction to engaging with Christ in the Scriptures. Previous to his time teaching, Joshua spent four years as a missionary and Team Director with FOCUS at South Dakota State University. Next to love of God is his love for his wife, Elizabeth, and their three rambunctious boys. 

In this episode, Jess sits down with Bonnie Engstrom. 14 years ago, Bonnie's life was turned upside down when she gave birth to a stillborn baby named James. After 61 minutes without a heartbeat, doctors were going to proclaim her baby dead, but through the intercession of Servant of God Fulton Sheen, James' heart began to beat. The miracle was unanimously approved by doctors, theologians, and cardinals and was recognized by Pope Francis in 2019.Don't miss this exciting interview!Bonnie Engstrom is a writer, baker, speaker, and homemaker. Her newly published children's book - Fulton Sheen and the Very Bad Week - is the retelling of true stories from Archbishop Sheen's childhood and is beautifully illustrated by artist Mariam Khoury Briggs. She is the author of 61 Minutes to a Miracle: Fulton Sheen and a True Story of the Impossible, which tells the story of her son's Vatican-approved miracle for the beatification of Venerable Fulton Sheen. 61 Minutes to a Miracle has been translated into Polish, Italian, and Slovak. Bonnie is a regular contributor and co-author for Blessed Is She, a frequent radio and podcast guest, and an old school blogger. Bonnie lives with her husband and eight children in Illinois.You can check out Bonnie's books here:61 Minutes to a MiracleFulton Sheen and the Very Bad Week

In the culminating episode of our Advent retreat with the Carmelite mystics, Sr. Shawn Pauline returns to teach us about "The Romances," a poem by St. John of the Cross on the union of the soul with God. Jess and Sr. Shawn Pauline discuss:How John wrote "The Romances", a series of 9 poems that describe the love between the Father and the Son, during Advent while he was imprisoned by his fellow CarmelitesJohn's illustration of the theological concept "perichoresis," which is the relationship between the Persons of the Trinity, often described as a danceHow John's poems can offer insight for those who have struggles around Christmas time, especially those who come from difficult family situationsSr. Shawn Pauline is a religious sister in the community of the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus of Los Angeles.

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Sr. Shawn Pauline to discuss the 3rd and 4th waters of prayer according to St. Theresa of Avila. Sr. Shawn Pauline and Jess discuss:The images of the river and the rain that St. Theresa uses to describe these deeper stages of prayerHow the soul must wait for God's action within it, and how this waiting ties into the season of AdventSr. Shawn Pauline is a religious sister in the community of the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus of Los Angeles.Here are Sr. Shawn Pauline's notes on the third and fourth waters of prayer:3rd Water: Prayer of InebriationTeresa’s Image: The Stream or River  Characteristics of this prayer:The garden is now irrigated by the water flowing from a stream or river, with much less labor (16.1)Some labor is required to direct the flow of the water (16.1)The Lord himself practically becomes the gardener and is the one who does everything (16.1) The flowers of virtue in the soul are beginning to blossom and bring forth a fragrance (16.3)Sleep of the faculties: they neither fail entirely to function nor understand how they function (16.1)Effects on the soul in this prayer:Only occupied with God- desires to only live in Him (16.4)Complete death to all earthy  things and an enjoyment of God (16.1)Great strength of the soul; stronger virtueDeep humility and detachment Sometimes all the faculties are absorbed in God and sometimes restlessWork of the soul in this prayer:Abandon oneself completely in the hands of God (17.2)Pay no attention to the memory, suffer it with patience (17.7)The soul sees here that it did neither little no much other than consent to the Lord’s favors and embrace them with its will (17.3)4th Water: The Prayer of UnionTeresa’s Image: The Rain Characteristics of this prayer: Total suspension of the faculties (intellect, memory, will)Absolute certitude that God was present in the soul and the soul in GodEffects on the soul in this prayer:Absence of distractions, since the faculties are suspended Absence of fatigue (it’s raining- no effort for me!)An extraordinary experience of joy. The soul rejoices without understanding what it is rejoicing in (FULL of water)Obsessed with serving Him as much as it can (20.23), no longer speaks/does anything for itself (20.24)Spirit is completely detached from things (20.8)No longer fears dangers, rather desires them- as though they have assurance of their victory (20.22)Work of the soul in this prayer:Humility- the foundation to the entire edifice Always keep the Sacred Humanity of Christ before us… we become more human as we grow in holinessMortification- more refined, delicate, and careful in little things 

In this episode of our Advent series, Sr. Shawn Pauline explains the second "Water of Prayer" according to St. Theresa of Avila. Sr. Shawn Pauline and Jess discuss:At this stage, God leads the soul into the prayer of recollection, which is the still awareness of God's presence within the soulHow St. Theresa uses the images of an aqueduct to describe the prayer of recollectionHow a soul can open itself to receiving the gift of this prayerSr. Shawn Pauline is a religious sister in the community of the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus of Los Angeles.Here are Sr. Shawn Pauline's notes on the second water of prayer:2nd Water: The Prayer of Quiet; Infused RecollectionTeresa’s Image: The Aqueduct (or garden hose)Characteristics of this prayer:·       Begins to be recollected and realizes that it can in no way acquire this prayer through any efforts on its own (14.2)·       Here the water is higher and the labor is much less… the water is closer because grace is more clearly manifest to the soul (14.22)·       The faculties (memory and intellect) are gathered within so as to enjoy that satisfaction with greater delight, but they are not lost or asleep (14.2)·       Only the will is occupied and must consent itself to be captivated by Love Himself (14.2)·       The Lord is beginning to “take a walk” in the garden of the soul. The soul longs for the flowers of virtue that are beginning to bloom, to increase in fragrance so as to bring Him delight and glory. The soul knows this grace of “fragrance” comes from Him, through the weeding out of its vices, and begs Him to increase it (14.9)Effects on the soul in this prayer:·       Satisfaction of peace is bestowed on the soul·       A little spark of the Lord’s true love enkindles the soul (15.4) … a pledge that he gives to show that he chooses it for great things if it will prepare itself to receive them (15.5)·       The soul begins to lose its cravings for earthly things- detachment from personal honors (14.5)·       God gives self-knowledge (true humility)·       A strong desire to advance in prayer, desire for humiliations·       A mature, trusting fear in God and a distrust of self (15.14)Work of the soul in this prayer:·       Practice the life of virtue to be able to respond to the graces in prayer·       Remain in its joy and quietude·       Proceed gently and noiselessly- not running about with the intellect looking for many words (16.6)